US20050123339A1 - Enclosed opening means - Google Patents
Enclosed opening means Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20050123339A1 US20050123339A1 US10/728,701 US72870103A US2005123339A1 US 20050123339 A1 US20050123339 A1 US 20050123339A1 US 72870103 A US72870103 A US 72870103A US 2005123339 A1 US2005123339 A1 US 2005123339A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- tubular housing
- opening means
- elongated tubular
- enclosed opening
- open end
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 49
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 21
- 229920000742 Cotton Polymers 0.000 description 8
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 7
- 235000010585 Ammi visnaga Nutrition 0.000 description 4
- 244000153158 Ammi visnaga Species 0.000 description 4
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
- B65D75/52—Details
- B65D75/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
- B65D75/5805—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture for tearing a side strip parallel and next to the edge, e.g. by means of a line of weakness
- B65D75/5811—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture for tearing a side strip parallel and next to the edge, e.g. by means of a line of weakness and defining, after tearing, a small dispensing spout, a small orifice or the like
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F9/00—Methods or devices for treatment of the eyes; Devices for putting-in contact lenses; Devices to correct squinting; Apparatus to guide the blind; Protective devices for the eyes, carried on the body or in the hand
- A61F9/0008—Introducing ophthalmic products into the ocular cavity or retaining products therein
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
- B65D77/22—Details
- B65D77/30—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during filling or closing of containers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
- B65D75/40—Packages formed by enclosing successive articles, or increments of material, in webs, e.g. folded or tubular webs, or by subdividing tubes filled with liquid, semi-liquid, or plastic materials
- B65D75/44—Individual packages cut from webs or tubes
- B65D75/48—Individual packages cut from webs or tubes containing liquids, semiliquids, or pastes, e.g. cushion-shaped packages
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to a sealed container with an opening means enclosed within the container for releasing a liquid enclosed within the container.
- opening means exists for opening a container. Most opening means are in the form of a screw-on cap or a snap-on cap. Some opening means are in the form of a frangible seal or a score line on the container that will allow the contents of the container to be released upon fracturing of the frangible seal or the container at the score line. All of these opening means are either attached to the container externally, such as the screw-on cap and the snap-on cap, or are formed as part of the container, such as the frangible seal and the score line on the container. None of the opening means are designed to be enclosed within the container to seal a liquid in the container and yet still allow the release of the liquids easily and reliably. The availability of an effective and easy to use opening means is particularly lacking for a small elongated container with a small cross-sectional area.
- U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ applicant disclosed numerous enclosed opening means that are designed to be enclosed within the container to seal a liquid in the container and to allow the release of the liquid easily and reliably.
- One of the design for the enclosed opening means comprises of a cylinder with an outside diameter approximately that of the inside diameter of an elongated tubular housing defining a small liquid flow path from the open end of the elongated tubular housing to the liquid.
- the end near the liquid has an elongated protrusion that is smaller in diameter than the cylindrical body of the enclosed opening means and is separable from the cylindrical body of the enclosed opening means.
- the elongated protrusion seals the small liquid flow path in the cylinder and prevents the liquid in the elongated tubular housing from being released through the enclosed opening means.
- the elongated tubular housing is bent near the junction between the elongated protrusion and the cylindrical body of the enclosed opening means, the elongated protrusion will be separated from the cylindrical body and the small liquid path is exposed for the liquid to be released from the elongated tubular housing through the opening means.
- the present invention is an elongated sealed container with a self-contained opening means fully enclosed within the container to release the fluid sealed within the container.
- the enclosed opening means is operated by bending the elongated sealed container at or near the enclosed opening means. Once the enclosed opening means is opened, the fluid sealed within the elongated sealed container may be released for application.
- the present invention will not interfere with the squeezing of the elongated sealed container or the fluid flow.
- a guiding member may be utilized to increase the capillary action and to overcome the surface tension of the fluid to release the fluid from the elongated sealed container.
- FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the enclosed opening means.
- FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the enclosed opening means.
- FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the enclosed opening means.
- FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the enclosed opening means.
- FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the enclosed opening means.
- FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the enclosed opening means.
- FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the enclosed opening means.
- FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the enclosed opening means.
- FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the enclosed opening means.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 show the preferred embodiment of the enclosed opening means.
- the enclosed opening means is used in an elongated tubular housing 1 with a sealed end 2 and an open end 3 .
- An applicator tip 4 such as a cotton swab, a foam tip, or a brush may be affixed to the open end 3 of the elongated tubular housing 1 .
- a fluid 5 is enclosed within the elongated tubular housing 1 near the sealed end 2 .
- An enclosed opening means 6 is disposed inside the elongated tubular housing 1 sealing the fluid 5 within the elongated tubular housing 1 .
- the opening means 6 is operated by bending the elongated tubular housing 1 at or near the enclosed opening means 6 .
- the opening means 6 may be disposed at any location within the elongated tubular housing 1 . As shown in FIG. 1 , the opening means 6 may be positioned near the open end 3 of the elongated tubular housing 1 to allow the maximum amount of fluid 4 and to allow bending of the elongated tubular housing 1 by pressing the open end 3 on a surface to open the opening means 6 . As shown in FIG. 1 , the opening means 6 may be positioned near the open end 3 of the elongated tubular housing 1 to allow the maximum amount of fluid 4 and to allow bending of the elongated tubular housing 1 by pressing the open end 3 on a surface to open the opening means 6 . As shown in FIG.
- the opening means 6 may also be positioned away from the open end 3 of the elongated tubular housing 1 thereby the bending of the elongated tubular housing 1 may be accomplished without contact with the open end 3 of the elongated tubular housing 1 if an applicator tip 4 such as a cotton swab is affixed to the open end 3 .
- the enclosed opening means 6 comprises of a cylinder with an open end 7 and a sealed end 8 .
- a sealing diameter is provided around the cylinder that is approximately that of the inside diameter of the elongated tubular housing 1 and provides a seal to prevent the release of the fluid 5 from between the elongated tubular housing 1 and the opening means 6 .
- the outside diameter at the sealed end 8 is smaller than the inside diameter of the elongated tubular housing 1 .
- a fracture line 9 is provided near the sealed end 8 of the cylinder at a location on the other side of the sealing diameter where the fluid 5 is disposed.
- the enclosed opening means 6 is inserted into the elongated tubular housing 1 with its open end 7 towards the fluid 5 thereby sealing the fluid 5 within the elongated tubular housing 1 .
- the cylinder When the elongated tubular housing 1 is bent at or near the fracture line 9 on the cylinder, the cylinder will be separated into two sections thereby exposing a small fluid path from the fluid 5 through the enclosed opening means 6 to the open end 3 of the elongated tubular housing 1 for the fluid 5 to be released from the elongated tubular housing 1 through the opening means 6 .
- the elongated tubular housing 1 may be provided with a reduced opening at its open end 3 to capture the fractured sealed end 8 of the enclosed opening means 6 if an applicator tip is not provided.
- the reduced opening is provided with a profile that will maintain a fluid flow path even if the fractured sealed end 8 of the enclosed opening means 6 is lodged against it. This may be accomplished by forming the reduced opening in an elliptical shape or in any other shape that is different than the shape of the fractured sealed end 8 of the enclosed opening means 6 .
- a guiding member 10 may be utilized to increase the capillary action and to overcome the surface tension of the fluid 5 to release the fluid 5 from the elongated tubular housing 1 as shown in FIG. 3 .
- the guiding member 10 may be affixed to the sealed end 2 of the elongated tubular housing 1 and extends to near or slightly inside the open end 7 of the opening means 6 .
- the guiding member 10 is affixed to the sealed end 2 of the elongated tubular housing 1 and with its free end formed as a pointed end, it may be used as a toothpick after the fluid 5 is depleted.
- a fracture line 11 is provided near the sealed end 2 of the elongated tubular housing 1 to allow separating the sealed end 2 with the guiding member/toothpick 10 from the remainder of the elongated tubular housing 1 and to expose the pointed end of the guiding member/toothpick 10 for use as a toothpick.
- FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the enclosed opening means.
- the enclosed opening means 15 is formed as a sealed end 14 of an elongated tubular housing 12 with two sealed ends 13 , 14 enclosing a fluid 5 .
- the end 14 of the elongated tubular housing 12 with the enclosed opening means 15 is inserted into a second tubular housing 16 with two open ends 17 , 18 .
- One open end 17 of the second tubular housing 16 seals around the end 14 of the elongated tubular housing 12 with the enclosed opening means 15 at a location past the fracture line 19 .
- An applicator tip 4 such as a cotton swab, a foam tip, or a brush may be affixed to the other open end 18 of the second tubular housing 16 .
- FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the enclosed opening means.
- the sealed end 20 of the enclosed opening means 21 has a circumference that provides one or more fluid flow path around the sealed end 20 .
- the sealed end 20 may be formed in the shape of a geometric shape that is not a circle such as a triangle, a square, or a star shape such that when it is inserted into another tube 22 it will not seal off the tube 22 but would leave one or more fluid flow path between the sealed end 20 and the tube 22 .
- the enclosed opening means 21 is used in an elongated tubular housing 1 with a sealed end 2 and an open end 3 . A fluid 5 is enclosed within the elongated tubular housing 1 near the sealed end 2 .
- the enclosed opening means 21 is disposed inside the elongated tubular housing 1 sealing the fluid 5 within the elongated tubular housing 1 .
- Another tube 22 with two open ends is inserted into the open end 3 of the elongated tubular housing 1 with one open end toward the sealed end 20 of the enclosed opening means 21 overlapping the sealed end 20 of the enclosed opening means 21 and the other open end protruding from the open end 3 of the elongated tubular housing 1 .
- An applicator tip 4 such as a cotton swab, a foam tip, or a brush may be affixed to the protruding open end of the tube 22 .
- FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the enclosed opening means.
- the enclosed opening means 6 is used in an elongated tubular housing 1 with a sealed end 2 and an open end 3 .
- a fluid 5 is enclosed within the elongated tubular housing 1 near the sealed end 2 .
- An enclosed opening means 6 is disposed inside the elongated tubular housing 1 sealing the fluid 5 within the elongated tubular housing 1 .
- Another tube 23 with two open ends is inserted into the open end 3 of the elongated tubular housing 1 with one open end disposed toward the sealed end 8 of the enclosed opening means 6 and the other open end protruding from the open end 3 of the elongated tubular housing 1 .
- An applicator tip 4 such as a cotton swab, a foam tip, or a brush may be affixed to the protruding open end of the tube 23 .
- FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the enclosed opening means comprising a tubular section 24 with two open ends 25 , 26 and a seal 27 separating the two open ends 25 , 26 disposed within the tubular section 24 between the two open ends 25 , 26 .
- the outside diameter of the tubular section 24 near the seal 27 is smaller than the outside diameter of the tubular section 24 near the two open ends 25 , 26 .
- a fracture line 28 is formed on one side of the seal 27 disposed at the section with the reduced outside diameter.
- An opening 29 such as a hole is formed on the other side of the seal 27 disposed at the section with the reduced outside diameter.
- the enclosed opening means 24 is inserted into an elongated tubular housing 1 with a sealed end 2 and an open end 3 enclosing a fluid 5 disposed near the sealed end 2 .
- the enclosed opening means 24 is inserted such that the open end 25 with the fracture line 28 is disposed towards the fluid 5 and the open end 26 with the opening 29 is disposed toward the open end 3 of the elongated tubular housing 1 .
- An applicator tip 4 such as a cotton swab, a foam tip, or a brush may be affixed to the open end 3 of the elongated tubular housing 1 .
- FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the enclosed opening means wherein a hollow tube 30 is inserted through the open end 3 of the elongated tubular housing 1 and into the open end 26 of the enclosed opening means 24 shown in FIG. 7 .
- An applicator tip 4 such as a cotton swab, a foam tip, or a brush may be affixed to the open end of the hollow tube 30 that is exposed outside of the elongated tubular housing 1 .
- a more rigid hollow tube 30 may be used to increase the rigidity of the body of the elongated tubular housing 1 near the applicator tip 4 .
- FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the enclosed opening means previously shown in FIG. 7 comprising a tubular section 31 with two open ends 32 , 33 and a seal 34 separating the two open ends 32 , 33 disposed within the tubular section 31 between the two open ends 32 , 33 .
- the outside diameter of the tubular section 31 near the seal 34 is smaller than the outside diameter of the tubular section 31 near the two open ends 32 , 33 .
- a fracture line 35 is formed on one side of the seal 34 disposed at the section with the reduced outside diameter.
- An opening 36 such as a hole is formed on the other side of the seal 34 disposed at the section with the reduced outside diameter.
- the enclosed opening means 31 is inserted into an elongated tubular housing 1 with a sealed end 2 and an open end 3 enclosing a fluid 5 disposed near the sealed end 2 .
- the enclosed opening means 31 is inserted such that the open end 32 with the fracture line 35 is disposed towards the fluid 5 and the open end 33 with the opening 36 is disposed toward the open end 3 of the elongated tubular housing 1 wherein the open end 33 of the enclosed opening means 31 extends out of the elongated tubular housing 1 .
- An applicator tip 4 such as a cotton swab, a foam tip, or a brush may be affixed to the open end 33 of the enclosed opening means 31 .
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- Ophthalmology & Optometry (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
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Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates generally to a sealed container with an opening means enclosed within the container for releasing a liquid enclosed within the container.
- A variety of opening means exists for opening a container. Most opening means are in the form of a screw-on cap or a snap-on cap. Some opening means are in the form of a frangible seal or a score line on the container that will allow the contents of the container to be released upon fracturing of the frangible seal or the container at the score line. All of these opening means are either attached to the container externally, such as the screw-on cap and the snap-on cap, or are formed as part of the container, such as the frangible seal and the score line on the container. None of the opening means are designed to be enclosed within the container to seal a liquid in the container and yet still allow the release of the liquids easily and reliably. The availability of an effective and easy to use opening means is particularly lacking for a small elongated container with a small cross-sectional area.
- In applicant's pending U.S. patent application, U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, applicant disclosed numerous enclosed opening means that are designed to be enclosed within the container to seal a liquid in the container and to allow the release of the liquid easily and reliably. One of the design for the enclosed opening means comprises of a cylinder with an outside diameter approximately that of the inside diameter of an elongated tubular housing defining a small liquid flow path from the open end of the elongated tubular housing to the liquid. The end near the liquid has an elongated protrusion that is smaller in diameter than the cylindrical body of the enclosed opening means and is separable from the cylindrical body of the enclosed opening means. The elongated protrusion seals the small liquid flow path in the cylinder and prevents the liquid in the elongated tubular housing from being released through the enclosed opening means. When the elongated tubular housing is bent near the junction between the elongated protrusion and the cylindrical body of the enclosed opening means, the elongated protrusion will be separated from the cylindrical body and the small liquid path is exposed for the liquid to be released from the elongated tubular housing through the opening means.
- This particular design has several drawbacks. When the elongated tubular housing is squeezed to force the liquid out of the elongated tubular housing, the elongated protrusion will interfere with the compression of the elongated tubular housing since it is disposed within the liquid where it is being squeezed. This will result in less effective extraction of the liquid since the elongated protrusion will limit the amount of squeezing that can be applied to the liquid. Furthermore, since the elongated protrusion remains within the liquid after being severed, the elongated protrusion may interfere with the liquid flow path when the liquid is being forced out of the elongated tubular housing. The severed elongated protrusion may flow with the liquid and plug the opening thereby restricting or completely cut-off the liquid flow.
- The present invention is an elongated sealed container with a self-contained opening means fully enclosed within the container to release the fluid sealed within the container. The enclosed opening means is operated by bending the elongated sealed container at or near the enclosed opening means. Once the enclosed opening means is opened, the fluid sealed within the elongated sealed container may be released for application. The present invention will not interfere with the squeezing of the elongated sealed container or the fluid flow. When the elongated sealed container has a small cross-section such that the fluid within it cannot be released due to its surface tension, a guiding member may be utilized to increase the capillary action and to overcome the surface tension of the fluid to release the fluid from the elongated sealed container.
-
FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the enclosed opening means. -
FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the enclosed opening means. -
FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the enclosed opening means. -
FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the enclosed opening means. -
FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the enclosed opening means. -
FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the enclosed opening means. -
FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the enclosed opening means. -
FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the enclosed opening means. -
FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the enclosed opening means. -
FIGS. 1 and 2 show the preferred embodiment of the enclosed opening means. In the preferred embodiment, the enclosed opening means is used in an elongatedtubular housing 1 with a sealedend 2 and anopen end 3. Anapplicator tip 4 such as a cotton swab, a foam tip, or a brush may be affixed to theopen end 3 of the elongatedtubular housing 1. Afluid 5 is enclosed within the elongatedtubular housing 1 near the sealedend 2. An enclosed opening means 6 is disposed inside the elongatedtubular housing 1 sealing thefluid 5 within the elongatedtubular housing 1. The opening means 6 is operated by bending the elongatedtubular housing 1 at or near the enclosed opening means 6. The opening means 6 may be disposed at any location within the elongatedtubular housing 1. As shown inFIG. 1 , the opening means 6 may be positioned near theopen end 3 of the elongatedtubular housing 1 to allow the maximum amount offluid 4 and to allow bending of the elongatedtubular housing 1 by pressing theopen end 3 on a surface to open the opening means 6. As shown inFIG. 2 , the opening means 6 may also be positioned away from theopen end 3 of the elongatedtubular housing 1 thereby the bending of the elongatedtubular housing 1 may be accomplished without contact with theopen end 3 of the elongatedtubular housing 1 if anapplicator tip 4 such as a cotton swab is affixed to theopen end 3. - The enclosed opening means 6 comprises of a cylinder with an
open end 7 and a sealedend 8. A sealing diameter is provided around the cylinder that is approximately that of the inside diameter of the elongatedtubular housing 1 and provides a seal to prevent the release of thefluid 5 from between the elongatedtubular housing 1 and the opening means 6. The outside diameter at the sealedend 8 is smaller than the inside diameter of the elongatedtubular housing 1. Afracture line 9 is provided near the sealedend 8 of the cylinder at a location on the other side of the sealing diameter where thefluid 5 is disposed. The enclosed opening means 6 is inserted into the elongatedtubular housing 1 with itsopen end 7 towards thefluid 5 thereby sealing thefluid 5 within the elongatedtubular housing 1. When the elongatedtubular housing 1 is bent at or near thefracture line 9 on the cylinder, the cylinder will be separated into two sections thereby exposing a small fluid path from thefluid 5 through the enclosed opening means 6 to theopen end 3 of the elongatedtubular housing 1 for thefluid 5 to be released from the elongatedtubular housing 1 through the opening means 6. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , the elongatedtubular housing 1 may be provided with a reduced opening at itsopen end 3 to capture the fractured sealedend 8 of the enclosed opening means 6 if an applicator tip is not provided. The reduced opening is provided with a profile that will maintain a fluid flow path even if the fractured sealedend 8 of the enclosed opening means 6 is lodged against it. This may be accomplished by forming the reduced opening in an elliptical shape or in any other shape that is different than the shape of the fractured sealedend 8 of the enclosed opening means 6. - When the elongated
tubular housing 1 has a small cross-section such that thefluid 5 within it cannot be reliably released simply by opening the opening means 6 due to its surface tension, a guidingmember 10 may be utilized to increase the capillary action and to overcome the surface tension of thefluid 5 to release thefluid 5 from the elongatedtubular housing 1 as shown inFIG. 3 . The guidingmember 10 may be affixed to the sealedend 2 of the elongatedtubular housing 1 and extends to near or slightly inside theopen end 7 of the opening means 6. - If the guiding
member 10 is affixed to the sealedend 2 of the elongatedtubular housing 1 and with its free end formed as a pointed end, it may be used as a toothpick after thefluid 5 is depleted. Afracture line 11 is provided near the sealedend 2 of the elongatedtubular housing 1 to allow separating the sealedend 2 with the guiding member/toothpick 10 from the remainder of the elongatedtubular housing 1 and to expose the pointed end of the guiding member/toothpick 10 for use as a toothpick. -
FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the enclosed opening means. In this embodiment, the enclosedopening means 15 is formed as a sealedend 14 of an elongatedtubular housing 12 with two sealedends fluid 5. Theend 14 of the elongatedtubular housing 12 with the enclosedopening means 15 is inserted into a secondtubular housing 16 with twoopen ends open end 17 of the secondtubular housing 16 seals around theend 14 of the elongatedtubular housing 12 with the enclosed opening means 15 at a location past thefracture line 19. Anapplicator tip 4 such as a cotton swab, a foam tip, or a brush may be affixed to the otheropen end 18 of the secondtubular housing 16. -
FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the enclosed opening means. In this embodiment, the sealedend 20 of the enclosed opening means 21 has a circumference that provides one or more fluid flow path around the sealedend 20. The sealedend 20 may be formed in the shape of a geometric shape that is not a circle such as a triangle, a square, or a star shape such that when it is inserted into anothertube 22 it will not seal off thetube 22 but would leave one or more fluid flow path between thesealed end 20 and thetube 22. The enclosed opening means 21 is used in an elongatedtubular housing 1 with asealed end 2 and anopen end 3. Afluid 5 is enclosed within the elongatedtubular housing 1 near the sealedend 2. The enclosed opening means 21 is disposed inside the elongatedtubular housing 1 sealing thefluid 5 within the elongatedtubular housing 1. Anothertube 22 with two open ends is inserted into theopen end 3 of the elongatedtubular housing 1 with one open end toward the sealedend 20 of the enclosed opening means 21 overlapping the sealedend 20 of the enclosed opening means 21 and the other open end protruding from theopen end 3 of the elongatedtubular housing 1. Anapplicator tip 4 such as a cotton swab, a foam tip, or a brush may be affixed to the protruding open end of thetube 22. -
FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the enclosed opening means. In this embodiment, the enclosed opening means 6 is used in an elongatedtubular housing 1 with asealed end 2 and anopen end 3. Afluid 5 is enclosed within the elongatedtubular housing 1 near the sealedend 2. An enclosed opening means 6 is disposed inside the elongatedtubular housing 1 sealing thefluid 5 within the elongatedtubular housing 1. Anothertube 23 with two open ends is inserted into theopen end 3 of the elongatedtubular housing 1 with one open end disposed toward the sealedend 8 of the enclosed opening means 6 and the other open end protruding from theopen end 3 of the elongatedtubular housing 1. Anapplicator tip 4 such as a cotton swab, a foam tip, or a brush may be affixed to the protruding open end of thetube 23. -
FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the enclosed opening means comprising atubular section 24 with twoopen ends seal 27 separating the twoopen ends tubular section 24 between the twoopen ends tubular section 24 near theseal 27 is smaller than the outside diameter of thetubular section 24 near the twoopen ends fracture line 28 is formed on one side of theseal 27 disposed at the section with the reduced outside diameter. Anopening 29 such as a hole is formed on the other side of theseal 27 disposed at the section with the reduced outside diameter. The enclosed opening means 24 is inserted into an elongatedtubular housing 1 with asealed end 2 and anopen end 3 enclosing afluid 5 disposed near the sealedend 2. The enclosed opening means 24 is inserted such that theopen end 25 with thefracture line 28 is disposed towards thefluid 5 and theopen end 26 with theopening 29 is disposed toward theopen end 3 of the elongatedtubular housing 1. Anapplicator tip 4 such as a cotton swab, a foam tip, or a brush may be affixed to theopen end 3 of the elongatedtubular housing 1. When the elongatedtubular housing 1 is bent at or near thefracture line 28 on the enclosed opening means 24 a fluid flow path is exposed leading from thefluid 5 to theopen end 3 of the elongatedtubular housing 1. Thefluid 5 will flow through the resulting opening from the fracture of thefracture line 28 into the area between the reduced outside diameter of the enclosed opening means 24 and the inside wall of the elongatedtubular housing 1 and then into theopening 29 on the other side of theseal 27 in the enclosed opening means 24 and out of the elongatedtubular housing 1. -
FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the enclosed opening means wherein ahollow tube 30 is inserted through theopen end 3 of the elongatedtubular housing 1 and into theopen end 26 of the enclosed opening means 24 shown inFIG. 7 . Anapplicator tip 4 such as a cotton swab, a foam tip, or a brush may be affixed to the open end of thehollow tube 30 that is exposed outside of the elongatedtubular housing 1. In this embodiment, a more rigidhollow tube 30 may be used to increase the rigidity of the body of the elongatedtubular housing 1 near theapplicator tip 4. -
FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the enclosed opening means previously shown inFIG. 7 comprising atubular section 31 with twoopen ends seal 34 separating the twoopen ends tubular section 31 between the twoopen ends tubular section 31 near theseal 34 is smaller than the outside diameter of thetubular section 31 near the twoopen ends fracture line 35 is formed on one side of theseal 34 disposed at the section with the reduced outside diameter. Anopening 36 such as a hole is formed on the other side of theseal 34 disposed at the section with the reduced outside diameter. The enclosed opening means 31 is inserted into an elongatedtubular housing 1 with asealed end 2 and anopen end 3 enclosing afluid 5 disposed near the sealedend 2. The enclosed opening means 31 is inserted such that theopen end 32 with thefracture line 35 is disposed towards thefluid 5 and theopen end 33 with theopening 36 is disposed toward theopen end 3 of the elongatedtubular housing 1 wherein theopen end 33 of the enclosed opening means 31 extends out of the elongatedtubular housing 1. Anapplicator tip 4 such as a cotton swab, a foam tip, or a brush may be affixed to theopen end 33 of the enclosed opening means 31. When the elongatedtubular housing 1 is bent at or near thefracture line 35 on the enclosed opening means 31 a fluid flow path is exposed leading from thefluid 5 to theopen end 33 of the enclosed opening means 31. Thefluid 5 will flow through the resulting opening from the fracture of thefracture line 35 into the area between the reduced outside diameter of the enclosed opening means 31 and the inside wall of the elongatedtubular housing 1 and then into theopening 36 on the other side of theseal 34 in the enclosed opening means 31 and out of the elongatedtubular housing 3. - Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.
Claims (21)
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/728,701 US7198421B2 (en) | 2003-12-05 | 2003-12-05 | Enclosed opening means |
US10/884,608 US20050070856A1 (en) | 2003-09-25 | 2004-07-01 | Adjustable angle eye dropper |
PCT/US2004/021473 WO2005034795A2 (en) | 2003-09-25 | 2004-07-01 | Adjustable angle eye dropper |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/728,701 US7198421B2 (en) | 2003-12-05 | 2003-12-05 | Enclosed opening means |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/884,608 Continuation-In-Part US20050070856A1 (en) | 2003-09-25 | 2004-07-01 | Adjustable angle eye dropper |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20050123339A1 true US20050123339A1 (en) | 2005-06-09 |
US7198421B2 US7198421B2 (en) | 2007-04-03 |
Family
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/728,701 Expired - Fee Related US7198421B2 (en) | 2003-09-25 | 2003-12-05 | Enclosed opening means |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US7198421B2 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20080105580A1 (en) * | 2006-11-02 | 2008-05-08 | Tyco Healthcare Group Lp | Applicator Tip |
RU2608085C2 (en) * | 2011-08-12 | 2017-01-13 | ОУПЕНХАЙДРОУ АйПи ЛИМИТЕД | Method and system for hydro-turbines controlling |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3442424A (en) * | 1967-08-31 | 1969-05-06 | Rexall Drug Chemical | Multiple compartment collapsible tubes |
US3764796A (en) * | 1972-10-05 | 1973-10-09 | Us Navy | Chemical lighting device |
US5658084A (en) * | 1992-12-04 | 1997-08-19 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Liquid applicator with frangible ampoule and support |
US5791801A (en) * | 1996-08-30 | 1998-08-11 | Siebe North, Inc. | Liquid applicator |
-
2003
- 2003-12-05 US US10/728,701 patent/US7198421B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3442424A (en) * | 1967-08-31 | 1969-05-06 | Rexall Drug Chemical | Multiple compartment collapsible tubes |
US3764796A (en) * | 1972-10-05 | 1973-10-09 | Us Navy | Chemical lighting device |
US5658084A (en) * | 1992-12-04 | 1997-08-19 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Liquid applicator with frangible ampoule and support |
US5791801A (en) * | 1996-08-30 | 1998-08-11 | Siebe North, Inc. | Liquid applicator |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20080105580A1 (en) * | 2006-11-02 | 2008-05-08 | Tyco Healthcare Group Lp | Applicator Tip |
RU2608085C2 (en) * | 2011-08-12 | 2017-01-13 | ОУПЕНХАЙДРОУ АйПи ЛИМИТЕД | Method and system for hydro-turbines controlling |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US7198421B2 (en) | 2007-04-03 |
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